Turfgrass fungicides

Eric Liskey

This is the third in our series of Chemical Updates for 2000, covering
turfgrass fungicides. This information, compiled and updated with the help
of chemical manufacturers, is the most complete information of its kind. It
is presented in a format that puts the solution to nearly every turf
disease problem at your fingertips.

The tables on the following pages include information regarding:

* Active ingredient. We list chemicals by their active ingredients. This
includes nearly every EPA-registered fungicide for turfgrass use.

* Mode of action. This shows whether a chemical behaves as a contact or as
a systemic.

* Fungicide group.. This is another way of saying "chemical family."
Knowing this is important for devising a chemical-rotation schedule, which
helps reduce fungicidal resistance.

* Formulations available. This tells you if a chemical is available in a
form you prefer, perhaps because it is compatible with your application
equipment.

* Labeling for ornamental use may be important if you need a fungicide that
you also can apply to landscape plantings.

* Diseases controlled. This is the reason you're interested in fungicides.
These tables help you find the products that are effective against the
specific pathogens infecting your turf.

The tables list chemicals by their common name, and the information you see
is a compilation based on all brands using that chemical. This is necessary
because several brands may use the same active ingredient. Products with
the same active ingredient tend to have similar labeling, but this is not
always true, and it's one example of why it's so important to read chemical
labels. It's possible that a disease for which the chemical has
registration may not show up on the labels of all products with that active
ingredient. The same applies to other aspects of registration, such as site
uses.

Most of these tables are devoted to showing which diseases the chemicals
control. This reflects the importance of correctly identifying the pathogen
infecting your turf. It does no good to apply a chemical that doesn't
control the target pathogen. If you aren't sure about the identity of a
pathogen, ask for help from an extension specialist or other expert. If
necessary, send a sample to a laboratory for analysis.

Labels contain important application and safety information that will
improve applicator safety as well as the control you get from the product.
Read the label of every chemical you apply. Not only is it your legal
obligation, but it also is the key to getting the most from chemical
products.

Use these tables for preliminary planning only. They are not
recommendations or substitutes for actual product labels. When you purchase
a chemical, the label will come with the product. However, if you are just
considering purchasing a product, suppliers typically will provide labels
to those who request them. Our "Turfgrass Chemical Suppliers Directory" on
page 37 shows you how to contact chemical suppliers for more information
about their products.

This is the last of the 2000 Updates devoted exclusively to turfgrass
products. Along with the January (herbicide) and February (insecticide)
Updates, it's a comprehensive guide for your turf-pest-management planning
throughout the year.

We've also begun posting the information contained in the Updates on the
Grounds Maintenance website in searchable form. You won't find all these
tables-instead, you'll find a tool that we hope is even more useful to you.
We invite you to try it out at www.grounds-mag.com.